How a Timeless Classic Picture Book Still Holds a Special Place in My Heart---Naughty Nancy by John S. Goodall

     The world of books opened the doors wide to my growing imagination as a young child almost 36 years ago when I started to learn how to read.  My mother and I would make almost weekly pilgrimages to our local library where I grew up in a small town outside of New York City.

My library, as it was over 37 years ago.

Once there, among the cherry wood bookshelves, proudly stood dozens of stories which eagerly awaited for my tiny hands to reach in and take them home.  And, nestled among all those children's stories lied one very special picture book, that was soon to hold the title of being the very first book that my mother checked out for me on our first visit to our library over 37 years ago.

     Written by British author/illustrator John S. Goodall, Naughty Nancy details the mischievous adventures of a little mouse named Nancy, who is chosen to be a flower girl at her older sister's elegant wedding.  This charming tale, with delicate illustrations, is completely wordless! However, this was typical of John S. Goodall's work, as according to his 1996 obituary published in The Independent, not only were all of his books illustrated by him, none of his tales contained any words, beyond the title.  I have always found that this remarkable feature helps families to elaborate and add all sorts of bells and whistles to the story in any way they please!  But, don't let this factor make you pass this book by, as your little ones will not only relate to, but will immensely enjoy the antics of this adorable, playful little mouse who wrecks havoc before, during, and after the wedding ceremony and reception.  Also, you will appreciate how uniquely designed the book is, as each scene in the story changes with a slight turn of a half page.  For example, one of the "lift-the-flap" style features a page and a half of a lovely scene where the bride and groom are posing for pictures outside of the chapel, and when you turn the half page, there's the next scene where Naughty Nancy is running out of the chapel, coming towards the photographer for a silly pose!

My library, after the renovation.

       Let's just fast forward to today, and I am extremely lucky enough to be able to say that among my collection of tales stored safely in my bookshelves, is the very same edition of Naughty Nancy that I would check out from the children's section of my library.  One year, before the library was renovated, there was a book sale held to help make room for the newly acquired books to go along with the extensive renovations.  As I perused the vast tables filled with fiction, non fiction and children's tales, underneath several Beverly Cleary "Ramona" paperbacks, lied a timeworn, hard covered book jacket with a familiar little mouse clad in a fancy pink dress walking behind a bride and groom mouse couple.  I couldn't believe my eyes!  There it was, after all those years.  I was astonished, and quickly humbled to see that the tiny little book that I would hold in my small hands all those years ago, sitting on my mother's lap,  still contained the jacket pocket in the back where I would sign my name in pencil on the library card.  I would hand the card to the friendly librarian with the blazing red hair and big brown glasses who always greeted me with a smile every time I came to her desk to check out my books.
     I smiled as I quickly snatched the book right up, and went over to the checkout counter, and paid the volunteer 50 cents.  How thrilled I was to be able to hold this sweet memory of my childhood after all those years, and looked forward to sharing it someday (as I eventually did) with my own child. Naughty Nancy is quite simply one of the best picture books for your little one's active imagination.   A timeless treasure that is worth the read!

Naughty Nancy
Written & Illustrated by John S. Goodall
Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry Books (an imprint of Simon and Schuster)
Originally published in 1975.
For ages 4 and up
ISBN: 0-689-82358-4